Following their 62-7 demoloshing of the Indianpolis Colts, New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton awarded the game ball to Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael. With Payton being regulated to watching the game from the press box after suffering a torn MCL in a sideline collision last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carmichael was handed the play calling duties and called the entire offensive onslaught. While it would be very difficult for Carmichael to match the success of his play calling debut, if he comes anywhere close to it, his chances of being on the Saints sideline for next season greatly decreases.
Could Payton's sideline barring injury mean more doors will open for Carmichael? Yes, it definitely does. Granted the Colts defense didn't exactly bring back many reminders of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Steel Curtain defense of the 1970's, but you have to feel good about how Brees & Company were just flawless their domination . With the winless St. Louis Rams coming up next, the chances to light up the scoreboard for consecutive weeks is highly likely.
I may be getting a little ahead of myself, but should the Saints offense maintain its stride throughout Carmichael's play calling duties, look for his name to rise to the top of the inevitable NFL head coaching vacancies at the end of the season. Where I believe Carmichael will end up: The Miami Dolphins. I like their head coach Tony Sparano but the chances of him keeping his job are slim to none.
A young aggressive, innovative play caller like Carmichael would be a burst of fresh air for the offensive anemic, winless Dolphins, where he would once again be assigned the job of finding open space for Reggie Bush. The Dolphins just must do like they have been doing and not win any games in order to remain in the hunt for getting first crack at drafting Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck.
My instincts tell me that Carmichael and Luck would be an ideal fit. Luck would certainly benefit from having his first NFL head coach be one that helped mold Drew Brees into the Quarterback he is today. And it would be a golden opportunity for Carmichael to follow up on his experience with Brees and Payton by having such a young, highly accurate passer like Luck to help develop into a top flight NFL quarterback.
However, after watching Sunday night's game, regressing beyond that of the Indianopolis Colts would be quite a challenge, even for the Miami Dolphins. Carmichael would then be stuck with Matt Moore. Unless of course the Colts determine Peyton Manning still has some good years left in him after sitting out this season with a neck injury, and draft Alabama Running Back Trent Richardson with the first pick. Which is what I would do if I was General Manager Bill Polian.
Regardless of which team gets the very first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, mark my words, "Pete Carmichael will be offered the Miami Dolphins head coaching job for 2012."
That's my Nostradamus NFL coaching change prediction and I'm sticking to it.
- Win
sounds like a decent prediction for the next winllenium...my only counterpoint is that he looks an awful lot like a background character in an Archie comic to be taken seriously. who would benefit the most from this deal? can i get a reggie bush...
ReplyDeleteI like the idea. Carmichael will be a brilliant HC at some point in his career. But what is the benefit of leaving a secure NOLA job with a winning team/ownership?? Especially considering the horrible job the Miami ownership has shown. Clearly Carmichael is aware of how Sparano was treated, and stay clear of it. My guess would be no.... I foresee Carmichael in San Diego come 2013.
ReplyDeleteGreat point anonymous about Carmichael becoming HC of the Charges in 2013, assuming they finally get rid of Norv Turner at the end of next season. Looks like the Dolphins are going to get Jeff Fisher but we'll know for sure soon.
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